Free Moonflower by Leigh Archer Page B

it was
her khakis. It was Isaac who eventually hauled the suitcase up the
stairs to its destination.
    Reuben so
often seemed to be in the periphery of her vision; welcoming
guests, chatting easily to them on the verandah. It was then she
realised just how sophisticated a man he really was. No one, except
perhaps the most watchful of his guests, would have guessed there
was anything between them. He never once allowed himself to be
distracted by her presence, although every now and then his eyes
would meet hers and linger for just a second or two longer than
required by casual acquaintances.
    Sophie
did her best to emulate his control and professionalism. She had a
lot to learn. The effort involved in keeping her lips from curling
into a smile or her gaze staying too long on his face took an
effort that sometimes seemed beyond her level of skill.
    If
anything, he seemed to be enjoying the secret nature of their
tryst, turning it into a game of seduction that sent the heightened
sexual tensions that already existed between them into the
stratosphere.
    When they
met in a doorway, and for the briefest of moments no one was
around, he would step up to her, although there was more than
enough room all around. His chest would lightly brush her breasts,
his breath against her cheek, instantly setting her on fire. His
hips grazed hers and she’d press forward, wanting more, her face
tilting up to touch her lips to his. But then he’d be gone into the
next room without looking back to where she stood, every lustful
nerve in her body screaming for him.
    Sophie
stepped outside to find a quiet spot. In the stillness, and with
nobody to see, she could indulge the secret smile that spread
across her face as she remembered the start to her day.
    She'd
woken in Reuben’s bed just as the sun was rising. She had sat up to
leave, knowing she’d be mortified if Sara and Rolf found out that
she was spending nights in her boss’s bed. But Reuben had stirred
beside her and she’d looked back at him over her shoulder, feasting
her eyes on the hard muscles of his chest, the delicious arrow of
hair that sped across his belly, pointing downward to an explosion
of soft curls and a quite magnificent organ that seemed able to
give her the sort of pleasure she’d never dreamed
possible.
    Sophie
had known she should leave quickly, before the household began to
stir, but she'd turned and kissed the dark lashes that lay against
creamy cheeks, the mouth, sensual and soft in sleep. And she’d felt
him smile beneath her lips. She’d squirmed with pleasure as his
hands moved suddenly beneath the sheet to cup and squeeze her
buttocks.
    'Trying
to sneak out before paying for your night of debauchery, Ms Kyle?'
His voice was deep and husky; the way he said her name had her
turning back to him, thighs loosened.
    'Only
trying to preserve your reputation from ruin, Mr
Manning.'
    'Ah!'
Reuben said, lifting her astride him. 'So you admit you could ruin
my reputation.' He cupped her breasts, stared intently at the
hardening nipples, licked his lips, latched onto her.
    Sophie
arched her back and moaned.
    He
withdrew the warmth of his mouth from her nipple. She cupped the
back of his head to urge him towards her again.
    He turned
his head away. ‘Admit it.’
    Sophie
couldn’t remember what she was meant to admit to.
    He shook
her gently.
    'What?'
she asked, her brain a fog.
    ‘ Admit you could ruin me, with your full breasts that tease me,
and your golden skin and copper hair.’ As he spoke, he pulled the
sheet down past his hips so she could feel his arousal against the
inside of her thigh.
    'Oh,
Reuben,' Sophie said, raising her hips so she could feel the tip of
him rub against the small pebble of arousal that stood hard and
erect above her spreading moistness.
    'Concentrate, Sophie!'
    'How? When you're doing this to me.'
    ‘ What, this?’ He moved his hips so he was at her
opening.
    Sophie
took a deep breath; taut as a bow. ‘No, this,’ she said, biting